When a sitting president proposes removing his own term limits and then watches his members vote in favour by more than 90%, that is not governance. That is consolidation. The FIA has done exactly that, passing Ben Sulayem’s proposal at its Extraordinary General Assembly in Macau, just in time to bury the news beneath Austrian Grand Prix weekend coverage.
What Actually Changed
Until now, Mohammed Ben Sulayem could serve a maximum of three four-year terms as FIA president, a cap introduced by his predecessor Jean Todt specifically to prevent any one person becoming structurally indispensable. That limit is now gone. Ben Sulayem, who was re-elected without a single challenger at the end of 2025, can stand for a third term in 2029, a fourth in 2033, and theoretically beyond that.
The only remaining brake is an age restriction of 70. But sources with knowledge of Ben Sulayem’s intentions say he plans to remove that barrier too. His goal, reportedly, is to serve as president for life. The FIA declined to comment on that specific point, which is a comment in itself.
And They Made It Harder to Challenge Him
Removing term limits was the headline. What received less attention is equally significant. The FIA simultaneously tightened eligibility criteria for presidential candidates, requiring them to demonstrate substantial experience within an FIA member organisation or body. The deadline for candidates to submit their full vice-presidential teams has also been extended from 49 days before the election to 100 days.
Remember: in 2025, three rival candidates were blocked from standing because only one eligible South American vice-presidential candidate existed, and she was already on Ben Sulayem’s team. The system does not need to be rigged if the rules do the rigging for you.
The Dissent Worth Hearing
Former FIA vice-president Robert Reid, who resigned last year citing a standards breakdown, put it plainly on LinkedIn.
“Term limits remind an institution that office is temporary, that legitimacy must be refreshed, and that no individual should become structurally indispensable.” – Robert Reid
On the tighter eligibility rules, he warned that a safeguard against unserious candidates can quietly become a barrier against inconvenient ones. Given the FIA is already under scrutiny for its decision-making this season, that is not an abstract concern.
Stronger Governance or Stronger Control
Ben Sulayem called the changes a reflection of “continued progress” and “stronger governance.” The FIA pointed, with apparent sincerity, to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as a model for long-term leadership without term limits.
Whether you find that comparison reassuring or alarming probably tells you everything about where you stand on this. Motorsport’s governing body just voted, by a supermajority, to make itself less accountable. The PR statement used the word “democratic” three times. Make of that what you will.
